𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 61 : 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐁𝐲 𝐀𝐧𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞?”

𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚’𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬°°°

Antonio’s gaze flicked away, cold and distant.

“You don’t owe me any gratitude.”

“Really?” She stepped toward him. “Arizona. My kidnap. The fire. And now— Court?”

Antonio exhaled slowly, tilting his head to look at her.

“Nevena. Do one thing the—”

Her hands clamping around his waist cut him mid-sentence, her cheek pressed into his chest.

“Thank you for everything,” Nevena whispered, oblivious to the tornado she was causing in him. “It’s very comforting to know that someone is always there for me.”

Antonio went mute, every hair on him standing tall.

“Tourist!” he finally called, but in a tone he didn’t will.

She tilted her head against his chest to look up, but he turned his face away sharply.

“Don’t do this next time,” he muttered, voice raw. “You’re only complicating things the more.”

The physical contact disappeared as quickly as it had happened.

Trapped somewhere between disappointment and humiliation, she stood staring at a spot on the ground like a college girl being scolded.

He didn’t rebuke her any further. He only brushed past her and opened the car door.

“Get in,” he muttered, meeting her eyes with a cold expression, as if he never knew her.

Nevena's knees went cold, but she slid into the front seat obediently, pulling her small bag close.

He shut her door gently, almost with care, before walking around to the driver’s side.

“Buddy, what kept you guys so long?” Junior asked from the back seat.

“Nothing,” Antonio answered.

Once all the doors were shut, he started the engine, pulling away from the lighthouse.

They drove in silence for a moment, only the hum of the sea wind following them.

The docks came into view as the car turned a sharp bend.

“W–wait… a minute.” Junior’s breath hitched. “This must be a dream!”

Rows of fishing boats bobbed ahead, workers shouting orders, nets heaped on the pier.

“No,” Antonio said simply. “Wait until you see the real surprise.”

He smoothly parked near the entrance and turned toward Junior.

“Ready for a ship ride?”

“Ship?” Nevena’s heart began pounding, completely opposite to Junior’s loud gasp.

“Awesome!” he screamed, already trying to unbuckle himself.

“Bestie, come on! Let’s go! Let’s go!”

“Wait,” Antonio said with a soft chuckle, getting out first.

He opened Junior’s door and lifted him out effortlessly.

The little boy latched onto his arms with all the eagerness in his tiny body.

Nevena clicked her door open but hesitated, staring at the boats, her breath uneven.

“The boats are so cool! Buddy, I wonder how the ships are?”

“You will witness all that today,” Antonio answered, and Junior burst into excited giggles.

There was no version of reality where Nevena expected Antonio to acknowledge her again—but then she heard his voice.

“Let’s go. You’ll like this one.”

Her pulse stumbled as she glanced up at him, but Junior's shout cut short the moment.

“Come on, bestie! It’s not far!”

She just exhaled shakily and nodded.

“Okay… fine. Let’s go.”

He guided them toward the other side of the dock where enormous vessels sprawled.

“Sweet Jesus…” Nevena’s panic set in again.

Row after row of massive ships towered above the horizon—crates being loaded, cranes lifting cargo, sailors shouting orders.

Antonio paused at the edge of the pier, shifting Junior down so the boy stood between them.

“This looks like a floating city,” Junior remarked, staring up at the central ship.

“Lead the way, sir,” Antonio muttered gently.

The little boy gasped, racing up the wooden dock connecting to the ship.

Meanwhile Nevena stayed glued to the ground.

“You okay?” Antonio asked, seeming to pick up on her hesitation.

She nodded but Junior screamed from the dock. “Bestie's scared”

“No way,” Antonio snorted softly. The corner of his cheek scrunched up with a smirk.

He turned to Nevena again. “Are you scared by any chance?”

It wasn’t a teasing question, rather gentle, but Nevena shook it off.

“No I'm not” she denied, but Junior countered it. “Yes she is, don't mind her"

“Go away, chatterbox,” Nevena gestured stiffly, embarrassingly irritated.

“Let’s go then,” Antonio grunted as he led the way, his lips curled up with a suppressed titter.

Nevena inhaled and stepped behind him.

She didn’t take his hand… but she walked close enough that their arms brushed.

Funny enough, Antonio didn’t increase his stride, or rebuke her.

Halfway up, a strong wave crashed against the ship, sending a deep wobble through the dock, she jerked and lunged toward Junior, gripping his small arms.

“You must be scared. Here—let me hold your hand.”

Junior looked up at her and smiled—a soft, understanding smile no child his age should be able to form so naturally.

“It’s okay.” he muttered giving her his hand.

“Thank you" she whispered and they continued inside the ship.

Antonio glitched, finally seeing it, the tightness in her grip, the incoherent steps and forced breathing.

He didn’t ask to take her hand, neither did he make it dramatic by calling out to her.

He simply walked behind them, closely— never touching, just enough for her to feel his presence guiding her.

Just three more steps to the first deck, and excitement had Junior rushing ahead.

“No running ,” Antonio warned, catching the back of his collar with casual ease.

“But the ship is not even moving yet!” the boy whined, walking now.

“You don’t have sea legs,” Antonio lied, but in other sense referring to Nevena.

Junior shot him a glare. “I don't think it's me, Bestie’s the—”

“Shh” Nevena gave his lips a soft squeeze. “You talk a lot. We're already on deck”

The ship lurched, having been loaded fully— just a soft shift. But the ground moved for Nevena.

Her feet slid out from under her balance before she even breathed.

Junior's support wasn't enough anymore, her hand instinctively reached toward the railing, but she missed it.

“Daddy” she gasped, almost toppling over.

“I’ve got you.” Antonio murmured against her ear.

One hand around her waist. The other one bracing her back.

He pulled her against him so fast that she didn’t even register the movement until her body pressed into his, her breath trapped somewhere between shock and his heartbeat.

“I—I’m fine now,” she whispered, after a moment.

“You’re not fine,” Antonio countered, his hold still firm. “The ship hasn’t even left the dock.”

Junior stared up at them, eyes wide, completely missing the romantic tension.

“Bestie,” he blinked innocently, “is Mr. Hunt your knight in shining armour?”